Make the given changes in the indicated examples of this section and then solve the resulting problems.

In Example 7, change the numerator to x² − 4x − 12 and then simplify.

Data from Example 7

Here, the numerator and the denominator have each been factored first and then the common factor x − 2 has been divided out. [In the final form, neither the x’s nor the 2’s may be canceled, because they are terms, not factors.]

x - 4x + 4 x 4 - = = (x-2)(x-2) (x + 2)(x x - 2 x + 2 x is a term but not a factor